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tracyt223's review
4.0
A very cute, fun read!!! I loved her comparisons of the different men to handbags, lol!!! Of course I know how it would probably end up, but a fun ride to get there!
beereading's review
4.0
Cute book with laugh out loud moments and wtf moments as well. Definitely a light book 100%. Very predictable but good nonetheless.
pagesinkedinshadows's review
4.0
While this is not my typical genre, I was looking for something, fun, light & quick. This fit that bill perfectly.
I love how this story relates each of Caroline’s love interests to a corresponding handbag.
If you want a cute light hearted romantic story this is it.
I love how this story relates each of Caroline’s love interests to a corresponding handbag.
If you want a cute light hearted romantic story this is it.
lisa01's review
4.0
This is a good fun story. We see Caroline go on numerous and I mean numerous dates. But one guy is there for her all the time. Her good friend Mike. I kept waiting and waiting for them to get together. They both are endlessly dating. We hear about Caroline’s but Mikes are just briefly mentioned so we know he isn’t celibate.
I liked different things about the story. We get the dates as well as regular life stuff for each of the MC’s. The title chapters were cute and after a while i kept trying to figure out the guy before his chapter was done. I did love the bantering and back and forth these two have. It was easy to see how in sync these two are...words, thoughts and actions. Also that nerf gun episode was one of my favorite things.
This is my first book by this author. Again I liked the story and chuckled a couple times. Some of those dates Caroline went on are really fun and let’s just say she has bad luck. I did listen to this on audio and Suzanne Barbetta is a first time narrator for me as well. She did a good job articulating and the flow was nice.
I liked different things about the story. We get the dates as well as regular life stuff for each of the MC’s. The title chapters were cute and after a while i kept trying to figure out the guy before his chapter was done. I did love the bantering and back and forth these two have. It was easy to see how in sync these two are...words, thoughts and actions. Also that nerf gun episode was one of my favorite things.
This is my first book by this author. Again I liked the story and chuckled a couple times. Some of those dates Caroline went on are really fun and let’s just say she has bad luck. I did listen to this on audio and Suzanne Barbetta is a first time narrator for me as well. She did a good job articulating and the flow was nice.
chemslady's review
4.0
Clutch features numerous types of handbags that the designer Caroline Johnson creates. It is the name of her designer handbag company, she started after graduating Harvard MBA program. During her graduate program, she meets Mike Barnsworth or as his family calls him Michael Fredrick Barnsworth the Third, whose family owns the largest brokerage firm in New York--Barnsworth Brokerage Firm. Mike doesn't want to follow in his father or grandfather's footsteps instead Mike wants to own a bar--just like in the move Cocktail that he used to watch with his favorite nanny.
Each chapter is a different type of handbag--backpack, messenger, doctor bag, diaper bag, briefcase, wallet, cosmetic bag, and clutch. Each type of bag represents the various men that Caroline is dating. Through all the types of bags, men, and business meetings, Caroline and Mike maintain their friendship. Caroline goes to Mike's bar on a regular basis even bringing her dates to the bar for Mike's opinion of the men. While Mike is a love 'em and leave 'em mode especially with the women in his bar. Caroline doesn't understand why one of the waitresses that Mike has "dated" refuses to be friendly with her until the head bartender informs Caroline that the waitress thinks that Mike is in love with Caroline that why none of the women have a chance with him. Will Caroline see how Mike really feels?
Each chapter is a different type of handbag--backpack, messenger, doctor bag, diaper bag, briefcase, wallet, cosmetic bag, and clutch. Each type of bag represents the various men that Caroline is dating. Through all the types of bags, men, and business meetings, Caroline and Mike maintain their friendship. Caroline goes to Mike's bar on a regular basis even bringing her dates to the bar for Mike's opinion of the men. While Mike is a love 'em and leave 'em mode especially with the women in his bar. Caroline doesn't understand why one of the waitresses that Mike has "dated" refuses to be friendly with her until the head bartender informs Caroline that the waitress thinks that Mike is in love with Caroline that why none of the women have a chance with him. Will Caroline see how Mike really feels?
amanda_lee's review
4.0
Clutch is a fun, light read. I enjoyed following Caroline on her journey to find the right one. It was predictable, I knew how it would end, but the story of getting there was entertaining. Her series of dates were entertaining, but I loved when her best friend, Mike, weighed in on them.
I loved Mike. His puns and jokes were perfect and he had me laughing. His banter with Caroline had me firmly in his corner. I do wish we had a bit more after where it ended. If you want something quick and fun, i'd recommend Clutch.
Suzanne Barbetta's narration was great. I loved the accent and clear delivery.
I loved Mike. His puns and jokes were perfect and he had me laughing. His banter with Caroline had me firmly in his corner. I do wish we had a bit more after where it ended. If you want something quick and fun, i'd recommend Clutch.
Suzanne Barbetta's narration was great. I loved the accent and clear delivery.
notyourhijabi's review
3.0
I received this e-book for free from the author in exchange of an honest review. This review can also be found at: http://reading-is-dreaming-with-open-eyes.blogspot.com/2015/11/lisa-becker-clutch-novel.html
"Find something you love and hold onto it."
This is my first time reading a book by Lisa Becker, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by her. Let me start with what worked for me in this fun, quick read. I loved the synopsis and the storyline of the book. Caroline is a single purse designer who is on the journey of looking for the perfect clutch- a person to hold on to. We follow her story from the time she was 7 years old, when her aunt Mimi great role in inspiring her to college, where she meets her bestfriend Mike for the first time and then on to the real world where Caroline embarks on the journey of finding true love.
The author used different types of handbags as titles of the chapters and that was really cool! That kept me guessing as to what kind of person Caroline would be dealing with in that chapter and it was a really clever move by the author. I loved reading about her dating misadventures- she really had a knack for falling for the wrong type of guy! The portrayal of friendship between Caroline and Mike was very heart-warming and I loved reading about their relationship.
What didn't work for me, though, was the character development. I felt like we didn't get to know Caroline and Mike at all. Mimi made an occasional appearance in the book, but she could have had a full-fledged role because she would have made a really great character indeed! Caroline had the typical Southern way of talking where she dropped the last G in ever -ing verb, and while it is understandable, it was a little annoying because it felt like the author was trying too hard to drive that little fact about Caroline into our head.
The many relationships in this book made it somehow feel like speed dating, and we only got a glimpse into each relationship. That bothered me quite a lot and had me wishing this was a longer book- 140 pages felt really too short for this story. The romance and the sexy scenes could have been much better too-again, the page-constraint.
Whatever said, clutch: a novel is a light, fluffy read which is a must-read if you're on the lookout for a cute, short chick-lit to devour in one sitting!
The story idea: 4/5
The realization of the story: 2/5
The characters: 2/5
The cover: 2/5
Enjoy factor: 3/5
Final Rating: 3/5
"Find something you love and hold onto it."
This is my first time reading a book by Lisa Becker, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by her. Let me start with what worked for me in this fun, quick read. I loved the synopsis and the storyline of the book. Caroline is a single purse designer who is on the journey of looking for the perfect clutch- a person to hold on to. We follow her story from the time she was 7 years old, when her aunt Mimi great role in inspiring her to college, where she meets her bestfriend Mike for the first time and then on to the real world where Caroline embarks on the journey of finding true love.
The author used different types of handbags as titles of the chapters and that was really cool! That kept me guessing as to what kind of person Caroline would be dealing with in that chapter and it was a really clever move by the author. I loved reading about her dating misadventures- she really had a knack for falling for the wrong type of guy! The portrayal of friendship between Caroline and Mike was very heart-warming and I loved reading about their relationship.
What didn't work for me, though, was the character development. I felt like we didn't get to know Caroline and Mike at all. Mimi made an occasional appearance in the book, but she could have had a full-fledged role because she would have made a really great character indeed! Caroline had the typical Southern way of talking where she dropped the last G in ever -ing verb, and while it is understandable, it was a little annoying because it felt like the author was trying too hard to drive that little fact about Caroline into our head.
The many relationships in this book made it somehow feel like speed dating, and we only got a glimpse into each relationship. That bothered me quite a lot and had me wishing this was a longer book- 140 pages felt really too short for this story. The romance and the sexy scenes could have been much better too-again, the page-constraint.
Whatever said, clutch: a novel is a light, fluffy read which is a must-read if you're on the lookout for a cute, short chick-lit to devour in one sitting!
The story idea: 4/5
The realization of the story: 2/5
The characters: 2/5
The cover: 2/5
Enjoy factor: 3/5
Final Rating: 3/5
novelsandnotebooks's review
3.0
Actual rating: 3.25 stars.
I enjoyed this one. There were funny parts, sweet parts, and quirky bits. Some of the guys Caroline encountered I can certainly relate to. I liked how each one was paired with a handbag which summed them up nicely. Dating life, from what I can recall...it's been a long time, is definitely full of more misses than hits. Overall a very relatable read.
My only complaint is that some parts felt rushed. I understand that the story takes place over the course of a few years, but I think I would have liked some context and story in between the windows of time. Additionally, some scenes started well, but then left me wanting a bit more because the ends were a bit abrupt.
That being said, I am going to read more from this author soon!
I enjoyed this one. There were funny parts, sweet parts, and quirky bits. Some of the guys Caroline encountered I can certainly relate to. I liked how each one was paired with a handbag which summed them up nicely. Dating life, from what I can recall...it's been a long time, is definitely full of more misses than hits. Overall a very relatable read.
My only complaint is that some parts felt rushed. I understand that the story takes place over the course of a few years, but I think I would have liked some context and story in between the windows of time. Additionally, some scenes started well, but then left me wanting a bit more because the ends were a bit abrupt.
That being said, I am going to read more from this author soon!
thebookgirl's review
3.0
Clutch was such a light, sweet, funny read. I loved the characters and the way the book was written. The thing adored the most was the chapter names correlated with the various dates the man character Caroline went on. Which I thought was a cute and sweet touch.
"...you find something you love and you just hold onto.”
Our main character Caroline is a purse addict and handbag designer. She is on the lookout for Mr. Right. Unfortunately, like most people, she is only finding losers and people that she doesn't connect with. The other character Mike is on the journey with her. He owns a bar and keeps her stocked with lots of wine for her miss adventures.
He was a character that I absolutely adored in this story. He was a fantastic friend. He was a great person all around and I really enjoyed his dialog in the book.
“Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can,” she lifted her glass, “and a tall glass of Chardonnay to accept the things I can’t. That’s about the only gospel I can get behind.”
The book had some faults though. I found it a tad bit predictable at times. Also, it was often repetitive in parts. Also quotes like the one below made me roll my eyes at times.
“It was a revelation. How had she not seen it before?”
Overall this was a cute chick lit story. It's your average love story full of hilarious anecdotes.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"...you find something you love and you just hold onto.”
Our main character Caroline is a purse addict and handbag designer. She is on the lookout for Mr. Right. Unfortunately, like most people, she is only finding losers and people that she doesn't connect with. The other character Mike is on the journey with her. He owns a bar and keeps her stocked with lots of wine for her miss adventures.
He was a character that I absolutely adored in this story. He was a fantastic friend. He was a great person all around and I really enjoyed his dialog in the book.
“Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can,” she lifted her glass, “and a tall glass of Chardonnay to accept the things I can’t. That’s about the only gospel I can get behind.”
The book had some faults though. I found it a tad bit predictable at times. Also, it was often repetitive in parts. Also quotes like the one below made me roll my eyes at times.
“It was a revelation. How had she not seen it before?”
Overall this was a cute chick lit story. It's your average love story full of hilarious anecdotes.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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